Flattering Outfits for The Body Types

It’s one thing to understand your body type. It’s another to dress for it. Sometimes, the doing is tricky and we find ourselves falling into the same old everyday looks that do nothing to honor our body shapes.

In my brand new Body Type Video Series, I talk about discovering, dressing, and shopping your shape, but today I want to share specific outfit formulas.

There is science and math behind these formulas. At its most basic, flattery comes down to filling in the blanks to create balance.

These simple outfit formulas are designed to be templates, so that you can plug in your actual clothes and create stylish, flattering outfits with items you already own, but if one of the items shown in these outfits speaks to you, you can shop them right here.

And now, on to the outfits.

Proportional Body Type Outfits

The goal for this body type is to maintain the balance and proportion that is already there.

Look For: Consistent pattern, vertical necklines, slim straight, wide leg, or skinny pants, outfits with equal amounts of volume at the bottom and the top

Avoid: Overly voluminous or boxy styles. Strong horizontal necklines.

The Outfit Formulas Shown Below Include:

• V-Neck Sweater + Pencil Skirt
• Button-Down Top + Slim Pant
• V-Neck Blouse + Pencil Skirt
• Wrap Dress With Consistent Pattern
• Belted Blazer + Tailored Shorts
• Classic Blazer + Bootcut Pant
• Silk Button-Down + Cigarette Pants
• Fitted Classic Blazer + Slim Pant

Strong Upper Body Type Outfits

The goal for this body type is to add volume and interest at the lower half of the body, to create balance.

Look For: Simple tops, interesting bottoms, wide leg or graduated flare pants, flowy skirts, interest at hip area

Avoid: Wide over skinny silhouette (tunic and leggings), skinny pants, boxy tops

The Outfit Formulas Shown Below Include:

• V-Neck Top + Wide Leg Sailor Pants
• V-Neck Tank + Flowy Printed Pants
• V-Neck Wrap Wide Leg Jumpsuit
• Vest + Wide Leg Jeans
• Button-Down + Patterned Asymmetric Wrap Skirt
• Sleek Tank + Patterned Flowy Pant
• Simple Top + Flowy Patterned Skirt
• Classic Blazer + Wider Leg Pant
• Vertical Striped Top + Wide Leg White Jeans
• Wrap Draped Dress
• Simple V-Neck Neutral Top + Wide Pants in Bold Color

Strong Lower Body Outfits

The goal for this body type is to add interest and volume to the top half of the body to create balance.

Look for: Horizontal necklines, interesting shoulders and sleeves, pattern at the top, simple bottoms, straight leg styles, A-line skirts, empire styles (f not full busted)

Avoid: Skinny pants, pencil skirts, side pockets

The Outfit Formulas Shown Below Include:

• Monochromatic White Outfit + Tweed Jacket
• Pretty Top + Simple Tailored Shorts
• Tailored Jacket With Straight Hem + Tailored Shorts
• Ruffle Shoulder Top + Tailored Shorts
• Straight Leg Jeans + Jacket
• Light Button-Down + Dark Simple Shorts
• Light Colored Top + Dark A-Line Skirt
• Crewneck Dress With Flowy Skirt

I hope that you enjoy recreating these outfit formulas with items from your own wardrobe! And if you haven’t already signed up for the body type series, don’t forget to do that here!